Located in the Middle East yet with over two hundred and twenty kilometers of beautiful Mediterranean coastline Lebanon truly manages to embrace the very best of European and Middle Eastern cultures and lifestyles and the capital city of Beirut truly offers those expatriates and international citizens living and working in Lebanon the very best in Eastern and European cuisine, culture, art and lifestyle.

International citizens who move to live in Lebanon tend to all agree that the welcome they receive is friendly and warm and that the Lebanese are very hospitable people making a sabbatical, tour or extended stay in Lebanon an enjoyable experience.  This article introduces Lebanon for anyone researching moving to live, work or travel in Lebanon.

The majority of visitors to or non-Lebanese residents in Lebanon require some form of entry visa, exceptions to this rule apply for certain Syrian and Palestinian individuals.  Those who herald from the US, UK, Europe, GCC countries or Australia for example can obtain basic visitors visas upon arrival at Beirut International Airport but all those moving to live for at least an extended period in Lebanon or who herald from an alternative country to the ones named should apply to their nearest Lebanese embassy for visas.

Lebanon was once a country enjoyed by hundreds of holiday makers in search of the inimitable Mediterranean climate and who wished to enjoy the cultural and historic delights of Lebanon.  After the long war that blighted the nation tourism numbers have declined significantly but even acts of terror and aggression cannot take away from the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the country.  Living and working in Lebanon expatriates will enjoy up to six months of summer sunshine and mild and temperate winters, and those who have time to spend traveling around the country or working away from the main cities will find a country rich in history and abounding in things to do, see, experience and taste!

Expatriates with children planning on moving to Lebanon will find a whole host of state, private and international schooling options available.  The Lebanese education system has derived a great deal from the international Baccalaureate system although in a number of private and international schools various different curricula are taught such as the UK or US curricula.  English and French are widely taught and understood and for students of Armenian, Dutch, German or Italian origin there are also specialist community schools available.  Lebanon is a country with a strong history of providing quality university education as well therefore those who plan on remaining in Lebanon full time need not worry about the continuing education needs of their children.

Healthcare facilities available are generally of a good standard with US or European quality private clinics, hospitals and specialists available for those with medical insurance or who can afford the fees.  Most working and affluent Lebanese have private health insurance and the vast majority of those moving to live and work in Lebanon from overseas are offered medical insurance by their employers or take out a scheme that will cover all of their families requirements whilst overseas.

Most professional expatriates who relocate to Lebanon find employment in Beirut and in terms of finding somewhere to live Beirut is definitely the easiest place to find a broad range of listings for different accommodation types.  Home seekers can search the classifieds in local newspapers, they can look online for somewhere to rent in Beirut or they can utilize the services of an estate agent in Lebanon.  Unfurnished apartments are most readily in demand but they tend to rent for no less than a year with the full year’s rent payable up front.  Cheaper initial options include renting furnished properties which can be let out for shorter periods of time.

In terms of the main employment sectors taking on expatriate staff in Lebanon there are of course the usual suspects such as international schools, language institutions who require English as a foreign language teachers and aid and charity agencies.  In Beirut there are also jobs available to expatriates in the insurance and financial services fields, IT, telecoms and media for example and the majority of professional who relocate to Lebanon are transferred by their company or source employment before they leave their home country.